What if writing could transport you to a state of deep meditation? Bestselling author and editor Jill Santopolo (The Light We Lost, The Love We Found) joins Dara Levan to reveal how her creative process is a form of zen, the surprising way she uses "bets" to hit word counts, and how she compartmentalizes her life as a writer and publisher. In this deeply personal episode, Jill shares the real-life heartbreak that inspired her iconic novel, her biggest fear as a mother, and the profound lesson about seizing the day that she learned from sudden loss. Discover the truths in fiction, learn to silence your inner critic, and find out why you should never journal if it feels like a chore. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about creativity, resilience, and living a life without regrets.



0:00 - Intro
0:22 - Welcoming author Jill Santopolo
0:57 - The emotional resonance of Jill's novels
2:06 - How Jill compartmentalizes her many roles
3:09 - Writing as a zen-like meditation practice
5:02 - Using fiction to escape and cope
7:48 - The struggle with journaling
9:18 - Letting go of parenting "shoulds"
11:19 - Baking and running for joy
12:19 - Jill's background in music and theater
14:20 - The "road trip" method of writing
20:05 - Why the first draft is messy
24:51 - The truth behind the fiction
31:30 - Jill's biggest fear revealed
32:12 - Going skydiving and taking risks
39:12 - Outro

RESOURCES:

Jill Santopolo's Website: https://www.jillsantopolo.com
Jill on Instagram: @jillsantopolo
Jill on Facebook: Jill Santopolo Author
The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
The Love We Found by Jill Santopolo
The Sparkle Spa Series by Jill Santopolo